Solidarity with undocumented community members

Dear Campus Community,

Many of us are reeling from the weekend’s events involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles.  These events have sparked a wide range of emotions from concern and fear to frustration and anger – especially for those who have been directly impacted.

As a college, we believe in the power of unity and the right to free speech. Taking a stand for justice and engaging in peaceful protest should not be met with fear tactics or intimidation. We hope that if you choose to participate in an immigration protest that you remain safe and demonstrate peacefully.

While we cannot control or predict the direction of federal policy or enforcement, we can and will continue to uphold our unwavering support for our students, faculty, staff and community members regardless of immigration status.

At Chaffey, we remain committed to supporting all our students in the pursuit of education and the advancement of social justice.  While we have no indication of any planned ICE activity on our campuses, we continue to encourage our campus community to remain alert and informed. Earlier this year we distributed Know Your Rights desktop information cards and displayed our Immigration Response Protocol throughout our campuses.

If you are looking for ways to get involved, here are some ideas for consideration:

• Attend town halls or community forums
• Join peaceful demonstrations/rallies/vigils
• Write a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper
• Contact elected officials (local, county, state or congressional representatives)
• Create a blog/zine to express your emotions or subscribe to a podcast
• Check in with colleagues, friends and relatives to offer your support

We also want to remind you of resources available to Chaffey students:

Chaffey College PRISM Center (Rancho Campus, AD 191) - Pick up a “Know Your Rights” card for your wallet that you can keep with you at all times. Available in English and Spanish. These cards are also available at all campus libraries. You can also request a printout through the Office of Strategic Communications. Email your request to graphics@chaffey.edu. 

Know Your Rights Resource Page - Guidelines on what you can say and do if you are approached by an immigration official. (Provided by TODEC Legal Services.)

Chaffey College Support – Have a question? Need to talk to someone? Need additional resources? Get connected through Chaffey’s Undocumented Student Resource page.

Mental Health and Student Wellness - Our Social Wellness and Behavioral Support team is here to provide students with FREE in-person or virtual support.

As we continue to monitor the current situation, we encourage our campus community to be supportive of one another, remain safe, and remember that Chaffey stands by our undocumented community.

Thank you,

 

Henry D. Shannon, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President